Senate restricts lobby-paid travel

Violators could face reprimand, censure.

Violators could face reprimand, censure.

February 17, 2006|MARTIN DeAGOSTINO Tribune Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Senate adopted rules on Thursday to bar lobbyists from paying for senators' out-of-state travel expenses, including transportation, lodging and meals. Senators who violate the rule could be subject to reprimand or censure, as with any other rule violation. Senate leaders described the rules change as a proactive response to congressional travel scandals involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He is accused of providing lavish trips to influence federal legislation and policy. "Sometimes there's a confusion between Washington, D.C., and Congress, versus the state legislature and what we do here," Sen. Joe Zakas, R-Granger, said, "and this was just one attempt, really, to make that distinction." Zakas is majority whip and chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, which developed the new rule. It does not apply to the House of Representatives, although House Speaker Brian Bosma said he will consider whether the House should adopt it. "Given the situation in Washington, D.C.," Bosma said, "this is certainly an area that's worthy of review here in Indiana." Neither Zakas nor Bosma could quantify the extent of lobbyist-paid travel for lawmakers, which must be reported to the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission. Searching for the information can be tedious, however, whether conducted in person or online. Both men said they had never traveled at a lobbyist's expense. Zakas said no particular instance sparked the Senate action, other than lawmakers' concerns about Abramoff's allegedly illegal contributions to members of Congress and staff. "We just felt we ought to make it clear that we're going to deal with it now," he said. The change followed Wednesday's announced change in a generous health insurance program for senators and their families that had drawn statewide criticism. Senate leaders trimmed the program to more closely resemble private-sector plans, but they did not eliminate it as the House previously did. Senate leaders estimated taxpayers' potential liability for the plan at less than $10 million over 50 years. A brief Senate debate preceded the 49-0 vote for travel-rule changes, with some questions about out-of-state events sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures or similar governmental organizations. Those would not be excluded, Zakas said, since the state pays for lawmakers' participation and travel there. According to Bosma, lobbyist-paid travel for lawmakers differs by more than degree from the meals, tickets and other complimentary services that are routinely -- and legally -- offered to lawmakers. "I think anytime a lobbying group pays for the entire expense of a trip for a policymaker, that is an area to be concerned with," he said. "I'm not saying there aren't circumstances that it would be appropriate, but I would certainly want to examine them closely. I think they should raise a red flag."